As Vermont loses its ash trees, towns race to stop the Ash Borer

The emerald ash borer, an invasive pest that kills ash trees, has been detected in 13 Vermont counties and is still spreading. But towns often don’t have the budget, or the guidance, to address it. Vermont’s environmental experts are imagining a future without ash trees — and that future isn’t far away. It’s all because…

Teachers Tree Service arborist examining a mature ash tree's trunk and canopy during an inspection

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      The emerald ash borer, an invasive pest that kills ash trees, has been detected in 13 Vermont counties and is still spreading. But towns often don’t have the budget, or the guidance, to address it.

      Vermont’s environmental experts are imagining a future without ash trees — and that future isn’t far away.

      It’s all because the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle from Asia, is destroying ash trees from the inside out. The beetles’ larvae burrow into and feed on inner layers of bark, damaging the system trees use to transport water and nutrients throughout their branches and leaves.

      The beetles, commonly referred to as EAB, have been reported in 72 municipalities across 13 of Vermont’s 14 counties, according to the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

      Read more about Teachers Tree is doing to combat the Emerald Ash Borer here.

      Vt Digger

      by Emma Malinak

      Arborist Greg Ranallo and one of the ash trees he has recently treated against the emerald ash borer in Shelburne on Friday, July 19. Ranallo favors treating the trees to curb the spread of the invasive pest rather than cutting them down. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger

       

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